Leviticus 7
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Trespass-offering - See end of the chapter at Lev 7:38 (note).
Open source ↗THE LAW OF THE TRESPASS OFFERING. (Lev. 7:1-27) Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering--This chapter is a continuation of the laws that were to regulate the duty of the priests respecting the trespass offerings. The same regulations obtained in this case as in the burnt offerings--part was to be consumed on the altar, while the other part was a perquisite of the priests--some fell exclusively to the officiating minister, and was the fee for his services; others were the common share of all the priestly order, who lived upon them as their provision, and whose meetings at a common table would tend to promote brotherly harmony and friendship.
Open source ↗Likewise this is the law of the trespass offering,.... Or the various rites and rules to be observed at the offering of it: the persons for whom it was to be made are described in the two preceding chapters, Lev 5:1 both such that sinned through ignorance, and knowingly, and here the place and parts of the offering, and how to be disposed of, are declared: it is most holy; wholly devoted for sacred use, either to the Lord, or to his priests; there were some things the Jews call light holy things, and others most holy in the highest degree, of this sort was the trespass offering.
Open source ↗The Law of the Trespass-Offering embraces first of all the regulations as to the ceremonial connected with the presentation. Lev 7:2 The slaughtering and sprinkling of the blood were the same as in the case of the burnt-offering (Lev 1:5); and therefore, no doubt, the signification was the same. Lev 7:3-7 The fat portions only were to be burned upon the altar, viz., the same as in the sin and peace-offerings (see Lev 4:8 and Lev 3:9); but the flesh was to be eaten by the priests, as in the sin-offering (Lev 6:22), inasmuch as there was the same law in this respect for both the sin-offering and trespass-offering; and these parts of the sacrificial service must therefore have had the same meaning, every trespass being a sin (see Lev 6:26). - Certain analogous instructions respecting the burnt-offering and meat-offering are appended in Lev 7:8-10 by way of supplement, as they ought properly to have been given in ch. 6, in the laws relating to the sacrifices in question. Lev 7:8-10 In the case of the burnt-offering, the skin of the animal was to fall to the lot of the officiating priest, viz., as payment for his services. הכּהן is construed absolutely: "as for the priest, who offereth - the skin of the burnt-offering which he offereth shall belong to the priest" (for "to him"). This was probably the case also with the trespass-offerings and sin-offerings of the laity; whereas the skin of the peace-offerings belonged to the owner of the animal (see Mishnah, Sebach. 12, 3). - In Lev 7:9, Lev 7:10, the following law is laid down with reference to the meat-offering, that everything baked in the oven, and everything prepared in a pot or pan, was to belong to the priest, who burned a portion of it upon the altar; and that everything mixed with oil and everything dry was to belong…
Open source ↗Observe here, 1. Concerning the trespass-offering, that, being much of the same nature with the sin-offering, it was to be governed by the same rules, Lev 7:6. When the blood and fat were offered to God to make atonement, the priests were to eat the flesh, as that of the sin-offering, in the holy place. The Jews have a tradition (as we have it from the learned bishop Patrick) concerning the sprinkling of the blood of the trespass-offering round about upon the altar, "That there was a scarlet line which went round about the altar exactly in the middle, and the blood of the burnt-offerings was sprinkled round about above the line, but that of the trespass-offerings and peace-offerings round about below the line." As to the flesh of the trespass-offering, the right to it belonged to the priest that offered it, Lev 7:7. He that did the work must have the wages. This was an encouragement to the priests to give diligent attendance on the altar; the more ready and busy they were the more they got. Note, The more diligent we are in the services of religion the more we shall reap of the advantages of it. But any of the priests, and the males of their families, might be invited by him to whom it belonged to partake with him: Every male among the priests shall eat thereof, that is, may eat thereof, in the holy place, Lev 7:6. And, no doubt, it was the usage to treat one another with those perquisites of their office, by which friendship and fellowship were kept up among the priests. Freely they had received, and must freely give. It seems the offerer was not himself to have any share of his trespass-offering, as he was to have of his peace-offering; but it was all divided between the altar and the priest. They offered peace-offerings in thankfulness for mercy, and then it was prop…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch אָשָׁם (ʼâshâm, H817) — guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Open source ↗מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… שָׁחַט (shâchaṭ, H7819) — to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre) עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) אָשָׁם (ʼâshâm, H817) — guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part אַלְיָה (ʼalyâh, H451) — the stout part, i.e. the fat tail of the Oriental sheep כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial…
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold כִּלְיָה (kilyâh, H3629) — a kidney (as an essential organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self) חֶלֶב (cheleb, H2459) — fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part כֶּסֶל (keçel, H3689) — properly, fatness, i.e. by implication (literally) the loin (as the seat of the leaf fat)… יֹתֶרֶת (yôthereth, H3508) — the lobe or flap of the liver (as if redundant or outhanging) כָּבֵד (kâbêd, H3516) — the liver (as the heaviest of the viscera) סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative)
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H801) — properly, a burnt-offering; but occasionally of any sacrifice יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָשָׁם (ʼâshâm, H817) — guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
Open source ↗זָכָר (zâkâr, H2145) — properly, remembered, i.e. a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
Open source ↗חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… אָשָׁם (ʼâshâm, H817) — guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… כָּפַר (kâphar, H3722) — to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or…
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) עוֹר (ʻôwr, H5785) — skin (as naked); by implication, hide, leather
Open source ↗מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… אָפָה (ʼâphâh, H644) — to cook, especially to bake תַּנּוּר (tannûwr, H8574) — a fire-pot עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מַרְחֶשֶׁת (marchesheth, H4802) — a stewpan מַחֲבַת (machăbath, H4227) — a pan for baking in כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
Open source ↗מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… בָּלַל (bâlal, H1101) — to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness חָרֵב (chârêb, H2720) — parched or ruined בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אַהֲרוֹן (ʼAhărôwn, H175) — Aharon, the brother of Moses אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or…
Open source ↗תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose תּוֹדָה (tôwdâh, H8426) — properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration;… זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… מַצָּה (matstsâh, H4682) — properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e. not soured or bittered with yeast);… חַלָּה (challâh, H2471) — a cake (as usually punctured) בָּלַל (bâlal, H1101) — to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness רָקִיק (râqîyq, H7550) — a thin cake מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint סֹלֶת (çôleth, H5560) — flour (as chipped off) רָבַךְ (râbak, H7246) — to soak (bread in oil)
Open source ↗חַלָּה (challâh, H2471) — a cake (as usually punctured) קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present חָמֵץ (châmêts, H2557) — ferment, (figuratively) extortion לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… תּוֹדָה (tôwdâh, H8426) — properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration;… שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
Open source ↗קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first קׇרְבָּן (qorbân, H7133) — something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present תְּרוּמָה (tᵉrûwmâh, H8641) — a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… זָרַק (zâraq, H2236) — to sprinkle (fluid or solid particles) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… שֶׁלֶם (shelem, H8002) — properly, requital, i.e. a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
Open source ↗Cross-references
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“Tell Aaron and his sons that this is the law of the sin offering: In the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, the sin offering shall be slaughtered before the LORD; it is most holy.
It must not be baked with leaven; I have assigned it as their portion of My offerings made by fire. It is most holy, like the sin offering and the guilt offering.
He may eat the most holy food of his God as well as the holy food,
He is to bring them to the priest, who shall first present the one for the sin offering. He is to twist its head at the front of its neck without severing it;
Inside the portico of the gateway were two tables on each side, on which the burnt offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings were to be slaughtered.
and said to me, “This is the place where the priests shall boil the guilt offering and the sin offering, and where they shall bake the grain offering, so that they do not bring them into the outer court and transmit holiness to the people.”
They shall eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them.
He must rededicate his time of separation to the LORD and bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. But the preceding days shall not be counted, because his separation was defiled.
But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, he may bring a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as a sin offering. He must not put olive oil or frankincense on it, because it is a sin offering.